The book Tell My Mother I Gone to Cuba: Stories of Early Twentieth-Century Migration from Barbados by Barbadian journalist Dr. Sharon Milagro Marshall, was the subject of a panel discussion at the 26th Havana International Book Fair, now underway in Cuba.

Dr. Martínez stated that, “the book is an obligatory reference in Cuba if one is studying Barbadian migration to our country.” She added that, for some time, research on the subject of migration from Barbados to Cuba had remained a work to be done, commenting that, “We have done a much better job with researching Jamaican and Haitian migration to Cuba.” She highlighted the rigour with which Dr. Marshall carried out her academic research. Dr. Martínez concluded that, “Sharon is a journalist as well as an academic, and that is why the book seduces us so much.“

She thanked Casa de las Américas and the Embassy of Barbados in Cuba for their invaluable assistance in ensuring that her book was included in the programme of the book fair. Dr. Marshall said it was the realization of a dream, made even more special by the fact that so many of her Cuban relatives were in attendance.

The Havana International Book Fair is considered Cuba’s premier cultural event, as well as the event with the highest attendance in Havana. It consists of seminars and panel discussions, book vending, poetry readings, children’s activities, book and art exhibitions, and concerts. The 2017 edition of the fair runs from February 9-19 in Havana, after which it will move to other provinces.